Abstract: A graphite-metal carbide-rhenium article of manufacture is provided, which is suitable for use as a component in the hot zone of a rocket motor at operating temperatures in excess of approximately 3,000 degrees Celsius. One side of the metal carbide is chemically bonded to the surface of the graphite, and the rhenium containing protective coating is mechanically bonded to the other side of the metal carbide. Rhenium forms a solid solution with carbon at elevated temperatures. The metal carbide interlayer serves as a diffusion barrier to prevent carbon from migrating into contact with the rhenium containing protective coating. The metal carbide is formed by a conversion process wherein a refractory metal carbide former is allowed to react with carbon in the surface of the graphite. This structure is lighter and less expensive than corresponding solid rhenium components.

Abstract: Reticulated composites are formed with a thin coating of a ductile biocompatible metal such as tantalum on a brittle biocompatible substrate such as vitreous carbon. Such composites exhibit physical properties that permit these monolithic composites to be morselized, or sized and shaped manually. Such composites exhibit surfaces with excellent ductile metal biocompatibility properties, but with strength and fracture physical properties that are more characteristic of the brittle substrate than of the ductile metal. Such composites fracture easily, and may be morselized or worked by manual sizing and shaping. Such morselization and working is accomplished by breaking or fracturing the composite, rather than plastically deforming it. Morselized or manually shaped reticulated composites exhibit excellent biocompatibility characteristics with micro- and nano-textured surfaces that promote rapid bone ingrowth and adhesion. When the composite is broken, the substrate is exposed.

Abstract: A graphite-metal carbide-rhenium article of manufacture is provided, which is suitable for use as a component in the hot zone of a rocket motor at operating temperatures in excess of approximately 3,000 degrees Celsius. One side of the metal carbide is chemically bonded to the surface of the graphite, and the rhenium containing protective coating is mechanically bonded to the other side of the metal carbide. Rhenium forms a solid solution with carbon at elevated temperatures. The metal carbide interlayer serves as a diffusion barrier to prevent carbon from migrating into contact with the rhenium containing protective coating. The metal carbide is formed by a conversion process wherein a refractory metal carbide former is allowed to react with carbon in the surface of the graphite. This structure is lighter and less expensive than corresponding solid rhenium components.

Abstract: A self-adjusting catalyst—a platinum group metal (PGM) catalyst supported by a second, non-PGM catalyst—and a method of decomposing high-energy chemical propellants such as HAN-based monopropellants, hydrazine, and hydrazine derivatives, and an improved reaction engine, are provided.

Abstract: A method of decomposing an organic azide is provided and comprises allowing an organic azide to contact a catalytic metal halide, main group halide, mixed metal-main group halide, or mixture thereof. Organic azide fuel sources comprising an organic azide/catalyst combination are also provided.